ISPM 15

IPPC from box

ISPM 15

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Illustration of ISPM 15 regulations

ISPM 15 stands for International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15. It is an international phytosanitary standard developed by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) that addresses the need to treat wood materials used in international trade to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.

Background

The ISPM 15 standard was first adopted in 2002 by the IPPC to minimize the risk of introducing and spreading pests through wooden packaging materials. The standard specifies the phytosanitary measures that must be applied to wood packaging materials such as pallets, crates, and dunnage to ensure they are free from pests.

Requirements

Under ISPM 15, wood packaging materials must be treated through approved methods such as heat treatment or fumigation with methyl bromide. The treatment must be carried out by certified facilities and marked with the official ISPM 15 stamp, which includes the country code, treatment code, and unique identification number.

Implementation

Many countries around the world have adopted ISPM 15 regulations to regulate the movement of wood packaging materials across borders. Compliance with ISPM 15 is mandatory for international trade involving wooden packaging to prevent the spread of pests and diseases that could harm agriculture and ecosystems.

Criticisms

While ISPM 15 has been effective in reducing the spread of pests through wood packaging materials, some critics argue that the standard is not always consistently applied and enforced. There have been instances of non-compliant wood packaging materials entering countries, leading to concerns about the effectiveness of the regulations.

See also

• International Plant Protection Convention
• Phytosanitary Certificate